Jump to Navigation

Vancouver Family Law Blog

Should you enter into a pre-nuptial agreement?

Though no one gets married expecting to divorce, with many Washington marriages ending in divorce, the answer to the above question certainly may make economic sense.

Pre-nuptial agreements are certainly not a romantic topic, and maybe not even one that is palatable during the week of Valentine's Day, but neither is divorce. However, the basic fact is that when Washington couple's divorce they must realize that they will face a division of assets. Depending on their situation, without a validly executed pre-nuptial agreement in place, the financial outcome of a divorce may be very different from that which one might expect.

NFL star hopes to modify child support, alimony award

With these hard economic times, many divorcing couples in Washington have faced the financial strain that divorce can pose. Divorce settlement agreements typically consider a couple's financial outlook at a single point in time.

When things change financially, it can make child support and alimony payments difficult, if not impossible. In such circumstances, either because of a loss of a job or a reduction in pay or hours, parents may no longer be able to meet their financial responsibilities with respect to child support and spousal support payment that they are obligated to pay.

Will the economy benefit from an increasing number of divorces?

Child support payments have fallen due to the recession. A more surprising fall-out of the recession is that divorce rates have also dropped or, in some cases, like in Washington, at least held steady. The number of divorces in the United States fell from 3.6 per 1,000 in 2007 to 3.4 in 2009.

The reason, most likely, is that some couples who want to get divorced are putting it off because they fear the expenses associated with divorce. Among other factors, maintaining two households costs more than maintaining one. If that theory is correct -- that people who want to get divorced are waiting -- then there is now a pent-up demand for divorce, and we will be seeing more couples getting divorced as the economy starts to improve.

Preparing your finances for a Washington divorce

The financial considerations of divorce are often complex. The earnings of each spouse, assets owned, child custody, child support and other factors all affect how finances are divided up, including what type of financial support is provided in the aftermath of the divorce.

Further complicating these factors are state divorce laws, which can vary widely from one to the next. Washington divorce professionals recommend that all divorcing individuals should enter into divorce proceedings with their financial information organized.

Parents face federal authorities for child support contempt

According to the Office of Inspector General of the Department of Heath and Human Services, the public will be able to help identify parents who are in contempt of child support payments.

Through a website, the federal office is asking for help to locate parents who are running from or are behind in paying child support obligations. On the site, people can browse photos of the men and women in question and submit information to help government authorities find them and hold them accountable for their lack of action.

Should you fight to keep your home after divorce?

Divorce is no easy undertaking. Most couples spend years trying to build their wealth and assets. For some couples, working together to achieve their financial goals can bring them closer together. Unfortunately, because so many emotions are invested to achieve those financial goals, it can be difficult to part with the assets eventually.

However, when couples in Clark County get divorced, that is exactly what they need to do. One of the most difficult parts of divorce can be the division of assets and debts, especially deciding who gets the house.

Financial infidelity may be indicative of divorce

Some couples believe their spouses are cheating on them if they are secretly using joint bank accounts to purchase unnecessary items or feed unhealthy habits. If financial infidelity is occurring, it may mean that divorce is on the horizon. These feelings of betrayal and outrage occur across the country, including in Washington.

When one spouse purchases items that are not in the budget and not within the couple's means, it can be an indicator of a financially unstable marriage. This can also be true if you are in a situation where you are the one making the purchases and don't think it's necessary to consult with your spouse first.

What's the secret to moving through Washington divorce peacefully?

Most people think of the divorce process as being contentious and emotionally draining. In many situations, it is. However, if you are intentional about your actions, it doesn't need to be.

Rather than viewing the end of your marriage as a failure, view it as a transition period. You can use this time of change as an opportunity for self-reflection and personal growth. Moreover, regardless of how your soon-to-be ex-spouse approaches the divorce process, following the suggestions below can help you work through your divorce peacefully.

Are divorce and a spouse's death comparable?

Divorce can be horrible. It creates a sudden change in your life, and you may lose the person you thought you were closest to. Many across the country, including in Washington, describe becoming a widow in similar terms. It's horrible and incomprehensible.

The process of reconstructing life following widowhood or divorce is dependent on factors such as the spouse's age, the support system in place, family involvement, financial situations, and whether the end of life or marriage was expected. If the nature of the relationship carries complexities prior to the spouse's death, including raising children, life reconstruction is a bigger challenge.

Court rules against teen's knowledge of paternity test

According to an appeals court ruling, a teenager from a southwest suburban family should be told that the man he believes is his biological father really isn't. However, this secret should be kept hidden due to a judge's ruling that both parents be barred from speaking about the situation to the boy. In two years, when the boy turns 18, this ruling will be dissolved.

Court records reveal that nearly two decades ago, the boy's married mother had an affair with a man who was also married. Two years after their son was born, their five-year affair dissolved.

Two months before the biological father filed a paternity case seeking visitation rights, the mother told her husband about the affair. The woman and her husband stuck with their marriage and decided to raise the boy together. The couple already had two other children.

Office Location